RISKS

The triple risk model demonstrates the interplay between risk factors that may sometimes result in stillbirth especially if the unborn baby is vulnerable

Professor Ed Mitchell (Auckland NZ) and I proposed a triple risk model for Stillbirth (see above) which is based on a SIDS triple risk model. The hypothesis for this model is that risk factors may inter-relate and may result in Stillbirth. Althoughany one risk factor may be insufficient to cause death, together they may produce a lethal combination, particularly if the fetus is vulnerable. Two risk factors that I have researched are sleep position and altered fetal movements:​

Sleep Position

Altered Fetal Activity

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Avoiding Back Sleeping One potential fetal stressor for the vulnerable fetus is sleeping on your back. When pregnant woman are awake they are told to avoid resting on their back and great care is taken to avoid this position when women are in labour, having a c-section or even when the midwife feels the baby's position. To date several studies have reported that when a mother settles to sleep on her back that her baby is at increased risk of stillbirth. See summary Table:

My sleep projects

The 'Pathfinder' study: 25 pregnant women in late pregnancy wore a device called the Prenabelt to discourage supine sleep on one 'intervention night' and not on the 'control' night a summary of results is: